William D. Nix Lecture 2026

The goal of the Nix Lecture is to bring together our community of students, faculty, alumni, and other professionals passionate about the positive impact materials science can have in addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges, such as the need for safe energy, a clean environment, and healthy life.

This year's event will be highlighted by Distinguished speaker Moungi Bawendi, Chemistry Nobel Laureate and MIT Professor of Chemistry.

Event Program

8.30 am:    Registration and Continental Breakfast

9.15 am:    MSE Department Chair Welcome 

                      Sarah Heilshorn, Rickey/Nielsen Professor

9.20 am:    Stanford MSE faculty research talk

                      Jennifer Dionne, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

9.40 am:    Stanford MSE faculty research talk

                       Colin Ophus, Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

10.00 am:   Break

10.30 am:    MSE alumni speaker introduction

                       Paul McIntyre, Rick and Melinda Reed Professor

10.35 am:   MSE alumni speaker

                       Stephen Streiffer, Director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, MSE 1993

11.05 am:    Keynote speaker introduction

                       Yi Cui, Fortinet Founders Professor

11.10 am:   Keynote speaker

                       Moungi Bawendi, Lester Wolfe Professor of Chemistry at MIT and 2023 Nobel laureate

12.20 pm:   Closing remarks

                       William D. Nix, Lee Ottersen Professor of Engineering, Emeritus

12.30 pm:   Lunch and Poster Session

2:00 pm:     Close of Event